Every year, the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on 3 May, reminds us the need to create a free, independent and pluralistic media environment. This year...

Sophia Templin's insight:

World Press Freedom Day is an important day to make sure voices are heard throughout the world. The day is to promote "media freedom for a better future." I think that the encouragement to improve the right to speak and the safety of international journalists is important of rate future of our world. Media needs democracy and democracy cannot be achieved without media.

King Abdullah pushes cautious social reforms improving women's rights in the face of conservative resistance

Sophia Templin's insight:

Saudi Arabia is a country that still strongly enforces sharia law. A review of the restrictions could do wonders for the Saudi women. If the ban on girls' sports was lifted, huge steps towards social reform for inequality would be possible.

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has announced the imposition of a new Taliban-like penal code in the country. The proposed law, which is set to take effect in stages beginning on May 1, includes the stoning to death of gay men and lesbians and the public flogging of women who have abortions.

Sophia Templin's insight:

This campaign is a push to petition the Sultan's penal code that discriminates gay men and lesbians via public stoning. The movement promotes the use of the hashtag #StoptheSultan to encourage social media users to join in signing the petition. Rallies and protests are also being organized.

I follow a variety of activism Twitter accounts and I was able to make a list for them to all be in one place. The majority of the accounts I follow are for female empowerment and organizations within the United Nations.

A Candid Conversation With 5 Women Leaders of Advertising and Media Adweek The message that we feel resonates in the magazine, that we've really seen resonate is about female leadership and about women fessing up to being ambitious and wanting big...

Sophia Templin's insight:

More and more females are taking leadership roles in advertising and media. This conversation gives insight to what and how these women have accomplished what they have.

Child marriage is a human rights violation. Girls are marrying men at least three times their age and are not being cared for or educated as a result. Their bodies and minds are not developed enough for marriage.

The Google Doodle for International Women's Day 2014 featuring 100+ inspiring women from all over the world.

Sophia Templin's insight:

This video is a prime example of social marketing to raise awareness of a cause such as gender equality. Google often uses their doodles to enlighten users on relevant information and historical events. This video has been viewed by over 30,000 people.

The Chinese women are heavily discriminated against and are celebrating International Women's Day (March 8) wrong where instead of celebrating the empowerment of women and girls, they treat the day like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

Sophia Templin's insight:

Situations like these show why it's necessary to form organizations that give voices to the discriminated. Women need to be empowered throughout the world and one of the first steps to improving the rights of women in China should be correcting the celebration of International Women's Day.

Human beings have been campaigning against inequality and poverty for 3,000 years. But this journey is accelerating. Bono "embraces his inner nerd" and shares inspiring data that shows the end of poverty is in sight … if we can harness the momentum.

Sophia Templin's insight:

The end of poverty is possible and with technology and the transparency of social networks, the end has never been closer.

Despite limited access to technology and poor connectivity, Facebook and Twitter have emerged as popular spaces for civil society groups in Uganda. Activists need to learn how to adapt these tools to their own needs, or they risk being left in the dark.

Sophia Templin's insight:

Social media is the future of NGOs and Non-Profits. What better way to spread information, grab attention, and gain support quickly? In this case, social media saved a woman's life. I believe that in the future, social media can be used as a tool to save thousands of lives and improve the world we live in.

On Hand Hygiene Day (5 May), WHO urges health workers to practice good hand hygiene when caring for patients, to protect them from contracting infections in health facilities. Initial results from a new WHO global survey confirm that these infections are often resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them.

Sophia Templin's insight:

Starting with the root of a problem is always a good choice. Although hand washing won't stop global problems, the smallest things can make a world of difference. I think that more campaigns like this should be put in place. Washing your hands is something small that everyone can do and like this PSA explains, it can change lives.

Several hundred schoolgirls were abducted by Nigerian militants. Why isn’t there a serious search to rescue them?

Sophia Templin's insight:

276 Nigerian schoolgirls are still missing after the kidnapping and the Nigerian government has done nothing to recover them. Families are looking for international power to intervene and rescue the girls. I think that the idea of putting pressure on the Nigerian authorities via international campaigns to 'Bring Back Our Girls' isn't the best solution. Although I agree that these girls deserve a "serious international effort to rescue them" I don't think the results the Nigerian people want will be solved with American campaigns and petitions for more attention to the human trafficking incident. The Nigerian authorities need help, not pressure.

HeForShe is a place for men to speak up an tell the world why equality for every woman and girl is worth fighting for. Men, read up, then speak out to help end gender inequality.

Sophia Templin's insight:

I think this campaign is incredibly powerful. Gender equality is always regarded as a major social issue that needs improvement however, most activists pushing female empowerment are women. This campaign puts the spotlight on men rising for change regarding inequality in society.

A woman once crowned Miss Universe is lending her famous face to a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the alleged human rights violations that have occurred in her native country, Venezuela, during recent anti-government protests. Only, Stefanía Fernández, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2009, doesn't look like a typical beauty queen for this campaign.

Sophia Templin's insight:

What a great way for her to use her recognition. I found this article on Facebook- truly a fantastic way of smarketing for those who need their voices heard.

NGO's are causing problems in Rakhine because of specialized treatment within communities. The rise in tension is causing Rakhine to have to remove unregistered NGOs from the region.

Sophia Templin's insight:

I think this is the wrong move for Rakhine. Myanmar is a location that needs as much help as it can receive, especially from all the recent violence in the area. In my opinion, I think that instead of dismissing helpful NGOs because of the idea of preferential treatment, Rakhine should allow more help to come into the country. It seems ridiculous to me that instead of just evening out the treatment, the country eliminates all help entirely.

Strong, well-run nonprofit organizations have adopted many best practices from business. They know that good management and strategically deployed resources help them gain market respect, donor confidence, and public support.

Sophia Templin's insight:

Well-run nonprofit organizations stem from the team behind them and the tips in this article provide a good outline for how one should go about marketing and running a nonprofit group successfully.

On the eve of International Women's Day, Hillary Clinton told an audience at the U.N. that gender equality is "the great unfinished business of the 21st century,” and said that "no country in the world, including my own, has achieved full participation”

Sophia Templin's insight:

I agree with Hilary Clinton, gender equality is an international issue that has the possibility of changing from unfinished business to an issue of the past. The continued efforts of organizations pressing for their rights will only help the situation. Social media is already doing a big part in the participation of International Women's Day. Today, I saw multiple Instagram and Twitter as well as participation in the celebration from Google.

Though women make up nearly two-thirds of the US workforce today, men continue to outnumber women in key leadership roles, the study says. Both men and women agree there are not enough women in positions of power in the workplace, but when asked about women in specific roles and occupations, a majority of Americans fall back on traditional gender roles — despite the preference for management styles that people more strongly associate with women.

Sophia Templin's insight:

Studies show people prefer women in leadership roles yet there are still very few females in powerful roles in workplaces.

Vodafone has partnered with education activist Malala Yousafzai in an effort to bring mobile-based literacy learning to the 493 million women and 76 million girls globally that cannot read or write

Sophia Templin's insight:

The global empowerment of women is directly correlated to their level of education. Through improved literacy, females are taking steps closer to a better future. I am a Malala fan and am excited to see all of the wonderful things the Malala Fund is working on. I think this has the potential of being an extremely impactful and beneficial plan.

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